CTV-TSN To Bid C$1.4 Billion For Canadian NHL Rights Including Game Streaming: Report

Bell Mediagroup, owner of Canadian networks TSN and CTV, is preparing an NHL rights bid thought to be worth C$1.4 billion over 10 years starting with the ’08-‘-9 season, two “well-placed” sources tell the Toronto Globe & Mail. The deal would cover broadcast, cable French-speaking — and internet streaming of games. Public broadcaster CBC, home of the venerable “Hockey Night in Canada,” probably won’t be able to match, is not expected to match the bid, which is about C$50 million more annually than is currently being paid by the CBS, TSN and RSS combined. “Hockey Night in Broadband” just doesn’t have the same ring. (via Sports Business Daily)